Even though it’s extension season in Major League Baseball, a new deal between the Nationals and contract-year third baseman Anthony Rendon doesn’t appear imminent. General manager Mike Rizzo said Saturday there isn’t anything new to report vis-a-vis Rendon, nor does the recent flood of extensions across the majors have any effect on the two sides’ talks, Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post tweets. Rendon spoke about his future earlier in the week and didn’t sound particularly optimistic about an extension coming together. As things stand, Rendon’s on track to be one of the rare high-end players available in next winter’s free-agent class, which has rapidly lost its shine because of the extension trend.
More from the NL…
- The Braves don’t yet have to worry about extending first baseman Freddie Freeman, who’s under control through 2021. But when it’s time for Freeman to sign another deal, he hopes Atlanta’s the team that gives it to him. Freeman said this week that he loves Atlanta and would like to spend his entire career there, Mark Bowman of MLB.com relays. Regarding a potential extension, Freeman stated: “If [the extension is] four or five more years following [my current deal] and I’m declining, I’ll be out. I really will. I don’t want to put on another uniform for another year.” The 29-year-old added that he doesn’t plan to approach the Braves about a new contract, but “if they want to engage in that, I’m obviously here to engage because I want to be here for the rest of my career.” The club may take Freeman up on that in a year or two, Bowman suggests. At this point, Freeman still has $65MM left on the eight-year, $135MM extension he signed heading into the 2014 campaign.
- The Dodgers plan to deploy Austin Barnes, not offseason acquisition Russell Martin, as their primary catcher, according to manager Dave Roberts (via Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register). “If you look at it from a five-man rotation situation I would say Austin three out of five,” Roberts said of Barnes, who nosedived last season after a stellar first-year showing in 2017. The Dodgers hope he’ll bounce back and team with the 36-year-old Martin, who’s in his second stint with the franchise, to effectively replace now-Brewer Yasmani Grandal. It won’t be an easy task – despite Grandal’s playoff miscues in LA, he was one of the game’s most valuable catchers during his four-year tenure with the Dodgers.
- The Padres’ rotation picture is becoming clearer, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. It appears highly touted prospect Chris Paddack and Matt Strahm will slot in behind Joey Lucchesi and Eric Lauer, while the battle for the fifth spot is seemingly down to Logan Allen and Cal Quantrill. Robbie Erlin had been in the competition, but manager Andy Green said Saturday the left-hander will open the year as a reliever. Allen and Quantrill, who rank among the Padres’ top 15 prospects in a stacked system, will each get one last chance to make a case for a rotation job Sunday.
If the Padres can get Kluber or Bauer without giving up too much you could go L,R,L,R,L in the rotation with Paddock being the other rightie. Having for lefties in the rotation is not ideal.
I’m confused as to why any Padres fan wold believe the Indians are trading away one of their two best pitchers away with only 4 days before the season begins.
From a Padres fan…… some of our fan base have their heads in the clouds. Reality doesn’t matter to them.
I’m confused why you think this is a bad idea when they were shopping Kluber during the offseason?
Pretty certain i explained that in my original comment, but if you missed it, here it is in quotations “with only 4 days before the season begins”.
Shopping a player in January is very different than shopping him in ST.
Braves traded Kimbrel to the padres couple days before the season started few years ago.
You add OFs and mlb ready pieces for the Indians its not out of the realm of possibility theyd trade him.
Don’t try and figure Padre fans
As of two days ago reports the two teams were still talking. That’s where I got it from.
Yes, San Diego contacted Cleveland about starting pitching not the other way around. Padres would love a deal, Cleveland not likely unless overwhelmed. Padres would have to give up a lot. I don’t see a deal happening this close to the start of the season. Cleveland will see what they have in Cargo and the young outfielders then trade at the deadline if they need help.
Indians are not trading Kluber or Bauer at the deadline in the middle of a playoff push
I was referring to trading for an outfielder, not trading Kluber or Bauer. What I stated was I don’t see a trade at this time.
To tell you the truth if I’m Antonetti I’m selling the farm for some established guys on 1-2 year deals who fill needs. As it is, this season they are likely to see a repeat of the last one (make the playoffs because the rest of their division sucks then get stomped out in the first round). With three straight division titles already under their belt, that doesn’t do much for them.
Im confused to see why your trying to be such a ahole when the indians are still having trade discussions with the pads specifically on bauer or klub..
I believe the first 2 words in your comment. After that, the rest is nonsensical.
Keep, I don’t know why you are being so rude just because I stated facts that you don’t like. #1 – Preller contacted the Indians again as a way to solve your overcrowded outfield. #2 Cleveland won’t trade a pitcher unless overwhelmed. #3. Cleveland will likely wait to see what they have and make a trade at the deadline if they need help.
I am sorry that I am not seeing things through you Padre glasses, but through reality. Your comment just showed your lack of class and maturity. Grow up!
Their manager came out and called the rumors BS. Indians are not trading them unless they are blown away. Padres offering Renfroe and trash is not blown away
You’re one grumpy dude!
At this point that doesn’t appear likely.
Nutz, the Padres will have to give up a fair bit for the reigning Cy Young award winner and one of the best starting pitchers in the American League. Might be good for SD to hold off until they realize they can compete for a playoff spot. Jury is out on that. They have potential, but we really aren’t sure yet.
Blake Snell won the 2018 AL CY Young
Padre fans think Renfroe will get Kluber deal done
Renfroe alone is too much for Kluber…
Zuke, wasn’t sure what I was thinking. My bad.
Agree100 percent. Wishful thinking on my part.
Only thing reigning on Kluber this year will be doubles and home runs. It was a good career though
“Without giving up too much…”
very happy Erlin isn’t making the Padres rotation. On the other hand, I’m not thrilled about putting Paddack in the rotation right away either. I really don’t see the point. He has #2 or #3 pitcher type upside, but he’s not ready yet. His changeup is outstanding, his fastball is good (not great), but his command of it is absolutely great. However, the concern is how far behind his third pitch is. He can flip a “show me” curveball up there… but that’s about it. It’s not reliable and it’s not a weapon. It’s very hard to last in a rotation, seeing major league hitters longer than a 2-3 inning spring training game, using an extreme majority of fastball/changeup (unless you are pumping that fastball up near 100 with movement…. which Paddack is not). I just don’t see any point in not letting him continue to develop that third pitch, otherwise…. I see him ending up as a bullpen arm with a good two pitch mix. The guy has pitched 7 games in AA. Let him see some more advanced hitting a little longer, develop that curveball, and reach his potential.
As for the last rotation spot, I’m actually hoping Quantrill gets it over Logan Allen. I like the pitch mix Quantrill can offer better. Neither of them are going to be more than a #4 or #5 starter, but I think Quantrill can stick in a rotation better with his pitch mix (if he ever puts it all together). Allen just seems like another luchessi/lauer type…. I just don’t see them sticking in the rotation once some of the younger prospects advance (hopefully).
You underestimate Paddack’s ability right now. The biggest issue in 2019 is his innings limit.
I’m not sure there is a way to underestimate or overestimate a player who hasn’t pitched in the major leagues yet… there isn’t anything to estimate it by in the first place. Haha. And yes, he will be on an innings watch regardless of where he starts the season. But when Paddack himself, management, and virtually every scouting report (plus seeing him first hand) says his curveball is way behind… it would make sense to trust that. I don’t doubt the potential he could have. Told you on the Padres forum at the beginning of last year how high I was on Paddack. I just think this is a bit rushed.
Curve is a work in progress. But I’m betting he’ll still have success with his current combination. He’s really good.
I hope so spack. Time will tell. I’d just hate to see major league hitters get a book on him, figure out he’s essentially a two pitch pitcher at this point, and 2-3 times through the lineup, he’s getting lit up. Not good for a young pitcher. Although, maybe with his innings limits, he will only be going 5 innings most of the time anyways… we will see. I’d just prefer he had a complete arsenal to reach his potential before facing major leaguers (obviously you continue to work on things in the majors still, but you know what I mean). For instance, Quantrill. His stuff and numbers aren’t nearly as good as Paddack, but at least Quantrill is a finished product (for the most part) at this point. He is what he is, essentially. He’s got a 4 pitch mix, although none of them appear to be as plus as hoped. I just think if Paddack curveball could rate out as even average to slightly above average with consistency, he is a LOCK for a #2-#3 starter in a rotation. It’s just really hard with about 90% fastball/changeup
Cmon Paddack is enshrined in HOF already didn’t you know?
Alvin?
Lmao Alvin is nowhere near as bad as this guy
Paddack and Wingenter have been the two most impressive pitchers in camp.
Very true. But I don’t put much stock into spring training numbers. Deawaun Brazelton went through spring training without surrendering a run for the Padres I believe (or something like a 0.71 ERA)… he was the anointed stud that year…. and he made maybe 5 starts for the Padres and got lit up in every single start. So it’s hard to judge based on spring training.
You are 100% wrong about Paddack’s capabilities. This dude has swag and is THE TRUTH! Two pitches can dominate games, i.e. Gooden, Glavine
Oh. Swag. Ok. Excellent. Didn’t realize he had that in the arsenal
Even if Barnes hits .200 again the Dodgers are ahead of the game. Grandal is a train
wreck for the pitching staff. So glad he’s gone.
A train wreck? How so? Because of a playoff series?
Interesting comment. I couldn’t stand Grandal when he was a Padre. He can kind of hit, besides that I couldn’t see any other benefits he offered.
Barnes should hit a lot better this year now that he is healthy
Rendon’s Agent: Looking at 6-7 years
Nats: We’re hoping for 4-5
If the Braves don’t extend Freeman, I will be very unhappy with them
They have to take into account extensions for Acuña and Albies too. There’s going to be a lot of money tied up in those three.
As a Dodger Rival,glad Grandal is gone,Switch Hitting Catchers with Power are hard to find,Haters should do more research around Baseball before spouting off,maybe they can bring back AJ Ellis out of Coaching/Retirement?
As a Dodger fan, I am probably more thrilled that he is gone. The man had hands of stone when catching a throw (not a pitch) mattered most: in tight ballgames and with the go-ahead or game tying run heading home to score. Offensively, Grandal seemed to click for about 30 days over the year. Take out his hot streaks, and you’ve got a guy who isn’t very impressive at all.
He only has power from the left side. As a righty he is very bad
Anyone think the nationals will have a tough time keeping Rendon as well? He’s a must to resign for them
Glad the link from Freeman’s extension was posted. Kinda fun going back and reading comments from 2014
Yes, excellent chance to read old opinions. I also noticed that there are very few recognizable names of posters from back then.
In my opinion the original extension has been great for both Atlanta and Freeman.
He’s arguably the best first baseman they’ve ever had.
I hope Freeman isn’t expecting anything more than a 1-2 year extension. AA is too afraid to hand out anything else.
Also, Freeman might need to spend a gap year playing for the Jays before AA will entertain signing him as well.
Best of luck Freddie! I hope you’re able to meet these criteria when your time comes!
Just because the Braves didn’t sign Harper or Machado this year doesn’t mean they will never spend. Extending Freeman will happen if he has another good season or two. He’s a class act and AA knows it.
Who said anything about Harper or Machado?
Grandal
Robertson
Ottavino
Britton
Familia
Kimbrel
Pollock
Morton
Although I didn’t particularly want him we couldn’t even afford to sign Brantley. I considered him like a backup plan
Some of you act like the only valuable players on the market were Harper and Machado. I never wanted either of them and neither really fit with the Braves. There was a plethora of other talent on this market though and we just said no thanks even when we had clear holes to fill and no real strong internal options (bullpen, catcher, outfield).
To make matters worse when AA does spend money it’s on things we don’t need.
He ran up a $41 mil tab on 2019 on Donaldson, Gausman, and O’Day.
We didn’t need a 3B or a mid tier starter. You can argue we need bullpen, but we didn’t need an injured RP for $9 mil and hope he’d bounce back. Especially when the upcoming market was flush with really solid, reliable, and more importantly healthy RP options
Ottavino for $9 mil or O’Day for $9 mil. Who would you take?
It’s clear AA really has no idea what he’s doing at all.
Take your liberties on O’Day, sure. Judging the Donaldson signing now is premature and not sure what the issue with Gausman is, he proved to be a great addition and Atlanta gave up beans to get him.
You are forgetting that they have O’Day because they wanted Gausman. Taking on his contract meant they didn’t have to spend as much prospect wise.
And some of you act like it’s 1999.
A year from now, most of the guys on your list are going to look like bad signings.
Padres better hope Urias figures out how to hit again and cuts back on strikeouts…. last seasons call up combined with a pretty poor spring (although spring numbers don’t matter much, but he is striking out a ton)… not looking good so far
Yeahhhh, the low strikeout rate in the minors hasn’t translated so far and he isn’t strong enough to hit the ball out of the infield.
This is fine. We’ll get a chance to see what the youngsters can do. If they put together a good first half, we can do some SP shopping in the summer. I’d like it if we could have picked up an innings-eating veteran, but no reason to overpay just to make a deal happen. The window is just opening for the Padres, and it will continue to get wider.
Side note for Padres fans … a team of Padres minor leaguers played Mexico CIty’s Red Devils last night in the first game at the Diablos Rojos new ballpark. Padres minor leaguers won, 11-1. Michael Gettys, Blake Hunt and Jack Suwinski all homered. Ryan Weathers started and got the win. Starting lineup: Xavier Edwards 2B, Tucupita Marcano 3B, Owen Miller DH, Tirso Ornelas RF, Hudson Potts 1B, Jeisson Rosario CF, Gabriel Arias SS, Blake Hunt C, Michael Gettys LF. Note: Five 19-year-olds started.
Future looks bright.
Man I miss your minor league recaps on the Padres forum spack. Now I have to do that research myself! Haha. Lauer just named opening day starter…. not thrilled at that. He was always going to be in the rotation, but I think luchessi or even Strahm are better options against an opening day ace (in this case, baumgardener). Obviously he won’t always line up against an ace, but opening day with what you’re hoping is a new exciting era for Padres fans…. I’d think you put a better first step into it that Lauer
Who’s baumgardener?
This Padre team is going to be a headache to deal with. Things are looking up in SD. There is a lot to be excited about.
Nationals should sign Rendon based upon his performance to a certain point in 2019. He’s been a solid consistent ball player since he signed 6th overall pick in 2011. He took what was fair and plays ball. I can’t see him not taking a reasonable offer for solid performance on both sides of the field.
I am speechless, The Padres are way in over their heads thinking that Starting Rotation will even be acceptable. Just because you spend 30 mil on one player that doesnt overhaul your entire team, you have the prospects, but their prospects for reason, they have high potential celling, but they haven’t proven themselves in the big leagues, with the exception of players like Tatis and Gurrero Jr, who had a family history of playing good baseball. And yes, while it was unlikely the Padres get a top starter from the Indians on the other hand it was because they figured their starting rotation is bad, and rightfully so, until they decided to back out last minute. Well, more than likely they’ll pay the price for neglecting pitching, not even considering getting at least one solid starter, relying on rookies and hopeful comeback players, just horrible. I would have been happy if they at least tried to sign someone like Gio Gonzalez and not the evermore expensive Keuchel because then it would have showed thier trying. Also Eric Laurer is are opening day starter, and no offense to him as a person, but as a player and for the Padres, that’s not a good sign.
You’re fundamentally missing the point of the rebuild. We don’t need re-treads. We need to run out our young guys and see who sticks and build value out of them. We’re not expecting to compete this year. If we do, great, we’ll add at deadline. No sense in blocking our young pitchers or spending more money.
Work on that grammar.
He’s better than Clayton Richards so that means we are improving. LOL
Lmao
Padres will be the same old Padres , in other words they will suck. You Padre fans will be able to return to the wood work from where you came.
Why so much hate for The Padres? Did you not get laid last time you were out here?
I can only imagine how much teddyjackeddy is going to hate the Padres once they finally start winning games
Wanna bet?
I see what your saying but at the same time we know more than likely some if not most will underperform and we might be left with one or two decent starters near the end of the year. Then next offseason if we do compete we might have to stack pitchers via FA or trades when we could have alleviated some of that by signing at least 1 solid pitcher with consistent numbers. It doesn’t have to be Kluber or 20 mil dollar pitcher,even though that would be ideal, but at least a top 3 starter to take away some of that tension from those young pitchers. And yeah your probably right I’m not the only one who sees the team still as rebuilding even though the Padres media makes it seem like a complete team overhaul just because the they signed one major player if you think about it. If the money’s not there fine, or if we’re rebuilding that’s fine too, but I feel the media at least from the Padres POV is lying about the whole team as rebuilt when the pitching is not there just to sell more tickets.
I’ve said many times that I think our farm system is way overrated. one thing is for sure. Last year they were a lot more fun and exciting to watch than the teams that had Adam Rosales, D’Arnaud etc on them. This year’s team will be fun to watch too.
I say the Padres should just roll with what they have, let young guys like Allen and Quantrill show what they are made of and then next offseason if they still think they need to bring in a veteran starter from outside the org, Gerrit Cole and Zack Wheeler will be free agents.
Yeah I understand where you guys are coming from. We’ll see. I just hope we don’t need to add a whole bunch of starters next year because it could be costly. Or maybe mid season we add 1 or 2 but I doubt it.
Give Kimberly 3/42 with team options for two more years at 12 each or buyouts of $3mil each. Save the second rounder.
LOVE Freddie FREEman! Hope he can extend…just wish he would sign autographs for adults.
If Friedman thinks some combo of Martin/Barnes will equate to the offensive production and pitch framing offered by Grandal he’s crazy. This team is not as good on paper as last year’s team. Losing Puig and gaining Pollock, who older and injury prone was stupid.